Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
I don’t drink soda. I truly can’t remember the last time I ordered a Coke. It has been probably a decade – maybe more. But the other day, I was at Court Street Grocer’s excellent Hero Shop in Red Hook enjoying one of their brilliant vegetarian subs and noticed an advertisement for their own label of soda.
Turns out the local grocers started producing their own line of sodas back in 2017. No wonder I missed it – I never drink the stuff. But, of course, if it’s locally made with interesting ingredients, I can always make an exception.
I was very tempted by the Celery Soda (I have fond memories of the Dr. Browns’ Cel-Ray). If you’ve never tried celery soda, it’s worth seeking out. But it was the Grocers Original that made me break my soda-less streak.
This is a very interesting brand new concoction that is somewhat hard to describe. Imagine trying to explain what Coke or Dr. Pepper tastes like back when those were first released.
This dark red beverage is sweet, spicy, herbal, and deeply refreshing. It’s a blend of coriander, juniper, sage, bay leaf, black pepper, and chili. It’s superbly balanced and feels both like an exciting treat and an herbal tonic. Think cola meets ginger ale meets something totally new.
Pretty cool to try something this inventive. The flavors are nostalgic yet also modern and surprising. It’s those kinds of experience that make me happy to cheat from time to time.
| GROCERS BOTTLING CO. |
| grocersbottling.com |
